Alongside Mainoo: "Fantastic" United star is poised to make first PL start this season vs Aston Villa

Manchester United face Aston Villa in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Villa Park.

Ahead of the game, there has been much talk about manager Ruben Amorim possibly changing his formation (3-4-2-1) due to the absence of six players.

The Red Devils are without Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire due to injuries. Casemiro is suspended after his fifth yellow card of the league campaign.

United are also missing the services of Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui due to their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Amorim trialled a 4-3-3 formation in training before the Bournemouth game, but the Portuguese stuck with his regular 3-4-2-1 system against the Cherries.

There was a change in the set-up as the game progressed, and we could see something similar.

Against Villa tomorrow, we anticipate one big change in the back three.

United struggled with their organisation against Bournemouth on Monday after fielding an inexperienced pairing of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven alongside Luke Shaw.

Yoro was eventually replaced by Lisandro Martinez. Martinez, described as ‘fantastic‘ by Victor Lindelof, could now make his first start of the season after his long injury lay-off.

Villa are the in-form side in the league with six wins on the bounce. Martinez’s defensive resolve and composure on the ball could be key to keeping their attack at bay.

It could be a back three of Yoro, Martinez and Shaw at Villa Park, as Amorim is unlikely to start three left-footed central defenders together on Sunday.

He has preferred to begin with a right-footed right centre-back throughout his time at the club, and we don’t expect anything different against Villa. Heaven is likely to drop to the bench.

There could be three more changes to the starting XI. Patrick Dorgu could come in at left wing-back with Diogo Dalot slotting in the right wing-back role in Amad’s absence due to AFCON.

With Casemiro suspended, Kobbie Mainoo could make his first start of the league campaign from the holding midfield position.

In the final third, Joshua Zirkzee should get another chance to lead the attack ahead of Benjamin Sesko, who has just returned to action after a knee injury.

Matheus Cunha has started as the striker in the last two games. With Mbeumo away, he could drop into an attacking midfield role alongside Mason Mount.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .